This innovative book offers an original insight into the context and times of St Teresa of Avila (1515 - 1582) as well as exploring her contemporary relevance from the perspective of some of the foremost thinkers and scholars in the Teresian field today including Professors Julia Kristeva, Rowan Williams and Bernard McGinn. As well as these academic approaches there will be chapters by friars and nuns of the Carmelite order living out the Carmelite charism in todays world. The book addresses both theory and practice, and crosses traditional disciplinary and denominational boundaries - including medieval studies, philosophy, psychology, pastoral and systematic theology - thus demonstrating her continuing relevance in a variety of contemporary multi-disciplinary areas.
Introduction
Part One: Teresa in Her Context
1.True Confessions: Augustine and Teresa of Avila on the Mystical Self
Prof. Bernard McGinn
2.From Carmel to Avila
Fr Wilfrid McGreal OCarm
3.Mystical Affinities - St Teresa and Jean Gerson
Prof. Peter Tyler
4.Teresa of Avila: Negative Theologian?
Dr Edward Howells
Part Two: The Impact of Teresa
5.Teresa, the Eucharist and the Reformation
Dr Rowan Williams
6.Teresa - Her Vocation as Founder
Fr Matthew Blake OCD
7.St Teresa: Witness to Christs Resurrection
Fr Iain Matthew OCD
Part Three: Teresa in the 21st Century
8.The Passion According to St Teresa of Avila
Prof. Julia Kristeva
9.Wise Action in a World of Suffering and Injustice - Teresas Vision for Today
Prof. Gillian Ahlgren
10.Living the Teresian Tradition in the 21st Century - Thoughts from Praxis
